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March 22, 2017

15 Reasons to Love Spring Explained in GIFs

We at Ebates — and surely most of you — are so ready to say,”See ya later, winter, and don’t let the door hit you on the way out.” It is now officially appropriate to get supremely tickled about spring re-entering your chilly little life. And if it feels like last spring was 393,120 minutes ago (because it was) and you can’t possibly remember how great it was, let us remind you in a series of GIFs why spring is awesome.

1. Warmer weather: The weather’s warmer and you’re excited to remove some of those layers. Let’s just hope your New Year’s resolution to shed that winter weight actually stuck.

2. Driving with the windows down: Sure, you won’t be able to have an audible conversation and your car stereo will sound terrible, but WHO CARES IT’S FINALLY SUNNY!

3. Spring cleaning: Yikes. You really let the place go while you hibernated the winter away. Time to break out that Swiffer.

4. April showers: Don’t worry. You don’t have to dance in it. Stay in and enjoy the pitter patter on your rooftop, and then stand by for some serious rainbow action.

5. May flowers: A frolic through the flowers is not only healing for the soul, but also a terrific backdrop for selfies. Just stock up on the Claritin first.

6. Easter: Sure, Easter means more than bunnies and chocolate — but really, CHOCOLATE! It brings out the creeper in all of us.

7. Spring break: Fashions may have changed, but the shenanigans stay the same. Time to cut loose and shake that caboose.

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8. Cinco de Mayo: There’s no better time of year to immerse yourself in Mexican culture and get a tasty education in Mexican food. (Note: *This* is not how you do that. And there are far better Mexican food items than tacos. Get your hands on some menudo. You won’t regret it.)

9. Festival season: All those leftover Halloween costumes and accessories you have collecting dust in the attic? They’ve got you covered for Coachella, Sasquatch, SXSW, etc.

10. Barbecues: Barbecues and crab boils are perfect excuses to bring the crew together and consume way more food than you should. Enjoy a big hunk of beef on your plate. (The hunk cooking it isn’t too bad, either.)

11. Gardening: Sure, gardening and yard work seem like a chore. But don’t forget that you get the chance to bring life to things and then turn around and cut them down like a boss. Get it!

12. Freshly cut grass: Piggybacking off No. 11, cutting the grass might be a chore but the intoxicating smell that follows is worth it. Or is that gas fumes from the mower?

13. Romantic picnics: Let the outdoors ignite your passions. But beware of prying eyes.

14. New beginnings: With the seasons changing and nature in a state of renewal, spring is the perfect time to try a new haircut, travel to an exotic place or start killing it on those big life goals.

15. Sprucing up your spring wardrobe with Ebates: Update your look and get Cash Back? How is that not the best part of spring? Shop Double Cash Back stores to bring your fashion into focus this season.

September 17, 2016

How to Throw an Epic End-of-Summer BBQ

Summer is almost a wrap and everyone is sad to see it go – but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t throw it a goodbye party! As the last few days of summer will soon be here, now is the perfect time to throw an end of summer BBQ for your friends and family. Check out this simple list of BBQ tips and summer BBQ party ideas and get ready to get the gang together for one last summer shindig. As an added bonus, you’ll get Cash Back at Ebates with your purchase at any of the mentioned stores. Happy party planning!

1. Plan Your BBQ Menu Around Summer Favorites

Your final summer BBQ is a great time to feature everyone’s favorite summer BBQ food. Grilled shrimp, lobster, chicken and burgers are all premium choices. Make sure you don’t forget about those summer BBQ side dishes that you’ll miss the rest of the year, too! Veggie skewers, portobello burger bites, grilled corn, watermelon and a classic coleslaw will round out the meal. This is no time to skimp on your summer favorites! Throw a checkered tablecloth on those tables and live up the summer fun for one more day with a summer BBQ menu before fall officially arrives. Looking for fun summer BBQ ideas? Consider doing a BBQ sauce tasting! Cost Plus World Market has a great selection of sauces available online for your summer BBQ along with a ton of other great supplies to make your BBQ ideas come to life.

2. Consider the Temperature When Planning Your Party

Depending on your region, the end of the summer can mean cooler days and even cooler nights. Take your area’s climate into consideration and either plan to host your BBQ during the day or pick up some outdoor heaters from Walmart to keep your guests comfortable outdoors at night. Be sure to keep an eye out for an outdoor heater or lighting promo code as the summer comes to a close!

3. Prep Your Food Early and Offer Pitcher Perfect Drinks

Don’t miss out on your last party of the summer by spending the whole time cooking or mixing drinks – plan ahead! Make any food and drinks you can ahead of time to save your energy for the day of the party. You can make a big batch of your favorite summer drink ahead of time and put into it into a festive punch bowl from Crate and Barrel.

4. Live it up With Some Summer Fun

Don’t forget about the games when it comes time to throw your end of summer BBQ party! Make it a party people won’t forget until next summer rolls around with great summer games like bag toss, volleyball, badminton or other summer classics. Set up some games, like an awesome horseshoes set from Rakuten.com, and be sure to keep an eye out for an end of the season promo code.

5. Pack Away All Your Summer Stuff as You Pick Up

You can plan your party décor and activities around all the stuff that will need to be packed away at the end of the summer season. If the arrival of fall means the end of your outdoor party season, get your storage containers ready for the end of the party. You’ll tackle two tasks in one when you pack up your summer party supplies and tuck them away until next year. If you need storage bins, check out the amazing supply online at The Container Store and get everything you need to keep organized so you’ll be ready to launch the next epic bash next summer!

August 31, 2016

How to Throw a Labor Day BBQ on a Budget

Nothing says summer like a weekend drenched in sunshine and barbeque sauce. With the season drawing to a close, the three-day Labor Day holiday offers the perfect opportunity for one last hurrah. An occasion geared specifically toward relaxation, it’s the ideal time to invite a few friends over and enjoy some burgers before the weather becomes too chilly for grilling. Read on for some tips for throwing a Labor Day barbecue bash on the cheap.

1. Invite friends via Evite, or create a Facebook event. We all enjoy that rare treat of an invitation or letter in the mailbox intermingled with the usual bills and advertisements. But if you’re throwing a casual get-together like a barbecue, save your stamps and send out an invitation via Evite, or create a Facebook event. Not only will this save you a couple of bucks and a trip to the post office, it’s also more efficient, as people are more likely to RSVP if it only requires a click.

Online invitations also make it much easier to collaborate with your guests ahead of time. This is especially helpful if anyone has a dietary restriction you should be aware of, or if you’re asking people to bring a dish or drink. It’s equally helpful if you need to notify the whole group at once if any unexpected changes should come up. If you’ve got pals that don’t go online often, or at all, just shoot them a text or give them a call.

2. Have a potluck. Potlucks are a surefire way to ensure everyone has at least one item they can eat and enjoy. As the host, you should provide the entrees, which we’ll get to in a moment. But you can ask your guests to bring a favorite side, such as a salad, dessert, appetizer, or drink. Some partygoers may actually prefer this method, especially if they have dietary restrictions or allergies. Alternatively, you can assign people to bring certain dishes if, for example, you know your cousin Tom has the best recipe for banana cream pie, or your college friend Rachel makes a mean chili.

Organizing a potluck is especially simple if you’ve invited the majority of your guests via Facebook or Evite, since you’ll be able to avoid the issue of having three pasta salads or 10 liters of Coke. Aside from food, you can also ask a guest or two to bring propane or charcoal so you can avoid buying a bag you may not dip into again until next year. You can also request that one or two guests provide disposable utensils and cups.

3. Make it BYOB. Maybe you’re a master chef, or feel more comfortable making all the preparations at home ahead of time. Whatever the case may be, even if a full-on potluck isn’t your style, you can still ask your guests to bring their own beverage. Depending on your estimated attendance, you could end up spending quite a pretty penny on booze alone if you offer to buy it all yourself. Ask the guests to bring their own drink, or ask everyone to bring something to share. You can provide the mixers, which you can find some awesome deals on at places like Safeway.

4. Buy in bulk. You can find some killer deals at the brick-and-mortar big box stores like Costco or Sam’s Club. If you don’t yet have a membership, the amount you’ll save on alcohol for your few yearly parties may be enough to make it worthwhile, not to mention the opportunity to buy seasonal fresh produce at a price much more budget-friendly than at the supermarket. But don’t worry if the cost of the annual membership isn’t within your budget at the moment. You can also find a bevy of excellent markdowns on bulk items online at places like Amazon. You’re not likely to save much compared to the grocery store if you’re buying single items like one bag of chips, but you can save big if you’re purchasing a multi-pack. Of course, this mostly applies to non-perishable items. But that shouldn’t be any deterrent as non-perishables are more likely to stay fresher while lying on your picnic table in the warm backyard.

5. Keep the décor simple. Let’s be honest. Most people are going to be paying more attention to the food than the decorations. Nobody needs you to transform your backyard into a tiki lounge in order to have a good time. Making things fun and festive doesn’t have to break the bank. If you’re in need of some cool DIY inspiration, the Internet is a treasure trove of creative options. Places like Shindigz and Dollar Tree have excellent deals on everything you’ll need, from streamers to table settings.

May 24, 2016

Memorial Day Cookout Essentials Every Outdoor Chef Needs

Memorial Day is just around the corner so it’s time to buckle down and put your plan in motion. Oh, you don’t have a plan yet? No worries! Ebates to the rescue! Our guide to cookout essentials will help you through your extended weekend plans, as well as all of your summer barbecue bashes.

The Prep

Preparation is key to ensure your cookout goes off without a hitch. Make sure you get all of the supplies you’ll need in advance so you’re not scrambling on the day of. If you need additional seating, ask guests to bring chairs. Grab plenty of disposable dishes and cutlery from Sam’s Club to accommodate your guests. You’ll also need a cookout tray or two to serve your dishes and all of the appropriate serving utensils. Decorate with red, white, and blue pops of color like these festive glitter stars!

Most importantly, you’ll want to make sure you have everything you need for your grill. BBQ essentials include tongs, a grill spatula, a grilling fork, a basting brush and of course potholders. A digital meat thermometer from Bed Bath and Beyond will ensure your entrees are cooked to perfection. Make sure you have plenty of charcoal or propane for your grill because the last thing you want is to run out of fuel to keep the grill going!

The Cookout Menu

Food and fun are the central themes so make sure there’s plenty for everyone. Hot dogs, burgers and bratwursts are common staples for the cookout menu, but don’t be afraid to offer more diverse alternatives as well. Kabobs, barbecue ribs and chicken wings venture away from the meat and bun standards but are fan favorites at any gathering.

Of course, the entrees aren’t all your guests will be talking about with the spectacular cookout side dishes you’ll prepare. You can’t go wrong with crowd pleasers like potato salad, mac and cheese, baked beans and coleslaw. While delicious, these well-loved dishes aren’t known to be particularly healthy so a fresh salad and grilled zucchini can help round out your menu so there are plenty of options.

No Memorial Day cookout is complete without an assortment of refreshments. Mix up a batch of punch for everyone to enjoy. Lemonade and fresh-brewed iced tea (thanks to your Mr. Coffee iced tea maker) are great options for gatherings or you can stick with standard carbonated beverages from the can. For the adults, beer and sangria are sure to be enjoyed by those who imbibe. Whatever you do, make sure there’s plenty of ice for all the drinks.

While the grill master is busy creating culinary perfection, set out appetizers for your guests to snack on. Veggies and dip or crackers and cheese will keep people occupied during the grilling process.

You’ll also want some dessert options for your attendees. A light and summery fruit salad is a great end to a cookout feast or you can aim for something on the sweeter side and get some dipped treats or cookies from Shari’s Berries. Gelatin, brownies, pies, rice crispy treats and s’mores are fun ways to round out the meal as well!

The Entertainment

Naturally, the food isn’t the only reason to gather. Outdoor games like horseshoes, croquet, bean bag toss and badminton will keep adults and older kids entertained and enjoying each other’s company. If you have younger children in attendance, items such as chalk, bubbles, jump ropes and even water balloons will encourage plenty of giggles from your pint-sized guests. A Bluetooth speaker can fill the space with the perfect music for your crowd and help you earn additional Cash Back with Ebates. Just create a playlist then sit back and enjoy the ambiance.

The After Party

Just because everyone is well fed and the sun is setting, doesn’t mean the good times have to end. Light up a gorgeous fire pit and illuminate the area with mood-setting string lights or paper lanterns. With a promo code, you can get a great deal on citronella torches that can alleviate any pesky mosquitos while adding additional lighting. Walmart offers a variety of styles and options to meet the needs for your outdoor space.

The Bonuses

It’s best to be overly prepared for cookout essentials that your guests may forget. Items such as bug spray and sunscreen are vital for any outdoor gathering, but in the rush of things your guests may forget. If your space is particularly sunny, remember to provide shade to keep people cool. On especially hot days, misting fans will keep everyone cool, while providing additional entertainment for the kids.

When it’s all said and done, don’t be so frazzled with the details that you forget to enjoy yourself. You’ll be surrounded by loved ones with (hopefully) great weather and plenty to do and to eat. Whether it’s a small get together or a major event, gather your friends and family for what is sure to be a good time for all.